So . . . tell me about wool wraps

[fiendish]

I'm fed up of DD's ME rikkis stinking of wee!

We use large wraps at night to go over a boosted Quick Flip and they all reek. I've tried all different ways of washing and drying and although the smell fades it's always there. Poor girl, her bedroom stinks in the morning and even though the nappies don't (usually) leak her pjs and sleeping bag end up smelling too. The wraps we use in the day seem to be ok, even thought they're much older.

That's the background. Somebody (Flame I think) suggested using wool wraps at night. I am prepared to be converted! What wraps are out there? How do I look after them properly? Are they worth more expense/effort? And will they not smell of wee? DD is 10 months and tall and skinny.

Thanks!

I really couldnt get along with wool wraps. I bought a disana one and a sugar peas one. I lanolised them, more than once, as per instructions. We got seepage. I hated lanolising. I sold them ...

I did better with tots bots fleece wraps.

Im still not sure why youre getting the bad smells though. What is the nappy made of? Some materials (might be hemp or bamboo) retain smells more than others.

Another tip is to put a microfibre cloth between the nappy and the wrap to boost further. (Yes, outside the nappy, but under the wrap). Sounds bizarre but seems to help sometimes.

Im sure you must know this already, but another tip from the quick flip site:
Sometimes smells will occur. Should this happen, a tried and tested trick is to soak your nappies in a white vinegar and water soak then wash as usual. The vinegar kills ammonia build up. Alterrnatively a couple of drops of lavendar oil in the wash will help but make sure your baby is not intolerant to the oil.

Thanks alysonpeaches for the comments and suggestions. I have wondered about the tots bot fleece wraps - do you have a red one?

It's definitely the wraps that smell, they smell even when they've just come out of the washing machine. And I've cleaned the washing machine just in case it wasn't washing/draining properly!

I've never tried microfibre cloths as a booster, I guess that might help absorb more at night and reduce the amount of wee that gets to the wrap.

Fiendish
I have a size 2 red totsbots red fleece wrap i can send you if you want to try it out.

I love wool

Loads of different types. They take a few times to get lanolised properly - the sugar peas especially is more of a daytime wrap, and wuld be more likelt to seep to begin with.

You get lots of different types - the handmade WAHM cost more, but are lovely - Hollow Oak are felted wool and have more of a trousery feel, whereas woollywraps and seahorse slacks are knittedy.

Lanolising I have never found a problem - I have instructions on bumfluff. Just soak once a week to begin with, then once a month.

They don't smell of wee until they have been used lots, then they need washing. Something to do witht the lanolin and the wee mix and make a soapy stuff which is why they stay fine after airing for 12 hours or so.

There she goes - i have some shorties from pixie knits (soft merino wool) which are lovely and soft and a couche cover (scratchy wool but effective as a wrap) and a stacinator wool wrap (stretchy and soft and thick enough as a day wrap) i must say i was anti wool till i 'met' flame and now im a convert - i love the stuff - sheep rock! I mainly use mine on a night .

Ooh yes - pixie knits are lovely, she does little frilly edges for girls too

I have rolled cuffs - boyo is wearing them in fact in my profile thingy...

Thanks everyone for coments so far, it's interesting and a whole new world to explore. I really do like the sound of wool but I need to be brave! Also need to convince DH it's a good idea - every time I buy some new nappy stuff I say this should be all we need now. I think he doesn't believe me any more.

Just googled Pixie Knits, they look lovely! And not as expensive as I thought.

Has anybody made their own woolies? MIL is a v good knitter, I'm sure she would knit something for me if I asked but it would completely reinforce her view that I'm bonkers.

Forgot to ask: oliviaelanasmum - how much do you want for the fleece wrap, and what kind of condition is it in?

Fiendish its in good condition still bright red slightly bobbly but they all go like that, would like £2.50 to cover postage

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. I have some tots bots fleece wraps over on classifieds, but wont jump in before olivias mum, because Im asking £5 each for mine or 3 for £12. They are in very good condition though.

I would try the one olivias mum has at £2.50 its a bargain. If you get on with it and want some more, get in touch.

my MIL has knitted some, and I make my own with wool interlock. Im no knitter. My boy wears nothing but wool - its totally fab!

oliviaelanasmum - I'd like the wrap please, can you email me on poppyuok at yahoo dot co dot uk to discuss arrangements? Also thanks alysonpeaches, may take you up on that at a later date.

EmmaSalmon - I'd love to knit a wrap myself, but I suspect all of my children will have left school by the time I finish it! Where did you get the pattern?